Community Arts

Like sitting through church...

By Alyson Brodsy and Rob O'Connor · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 10:16 p.m.

As you may have guessed from the title, "The Gospel" is a movie about church. But not the stuffy old church you went to as a kid, this is a rockin' happenin' church where they dance and play the electric guitar. Finally, a movie about how cool it is to go to church... Wait, I mean, who was the idiot that thought it would be a good idea to make a movie about how cool it is to go to church? Now maybe it's just me, but no matter how many flag girls with sequin jumpsuits you put on stage, I would still rather spend my Sundays sleeping in and watching football (or in the off-season just sleeping in some more).

Disgusting, but so funny

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 10:12 p.m.

"Waiting..." is about youth in limbo. It's about that feeling you get when you're twenty-something, a couple years past (or shy of) a college degree and you have no idea what to do with your life. It's about the feeling as if you have no point. No direction.

This 'curse' is hilarious!

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Ross · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 10:06 p.m.

For those of you uninitiated (okay, most of you, myself included), British animator Nick Park created the claymation duo of Wallace and Gromit back in 1989. For years, his animated shorts have existed almost completely on the other side of the Atlantic. However, Dreamworks decided to distribute Wallace and Gromit's first feature-length debut here in the States. Can an obscure stop-motion British duo make it? By the reaction this film received in the theater, the answer is a resounding "yes." First, an introduction: good-natured inventor Wallace (voice of Peter Sallis) and his trusty silent partner/dog Gromit are making a small fortune helping out their small town with their humane pest control business. Looking for a permanent way to stop these bunnies from chomping up prized vegetables, Wallace constructs a machine in order to change their rabbit-y nature. Unfortunately, the machine malfunctions and instead lets loose a hopping mad monstrosity on the town.

IUSA Congress focuses on service-learning classes, hurricane relief

By Hannah Lodge · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 6:17 p.m.

In its third meeting of the school year, the IU Student Association Congress last night discussed an upcoming Katrina relief trip to Biloxi, Miss., an increase in service-learning classes and student concerns regarding the athletics fee and admission standards.

Student upgraded to fair condition

By Kathleen Quilligan and Kathleen Quilligen · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 2:05 a.m.

Freshman Ashley Lee has been upgraded from critical to fair condition almost two weeks after contracting bacterial meningitis, said John Mills, the public affairs manager at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. "If another case comes up now it will be unrelated to (Lee's)," said Dr. Hugh Jessop, director of the IU Health Center. "Ten days from exposure is the most contagious time, and we are four or five days out of that."

Crash suspect trial delayed

By Elisha Sauers · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:52 a.m.

The supposed last pre-trial conference for Meliton Praxidis, who is accused of fleeing the scene of an accident killing student Ashley Crouse April 11, convened Tuesday morning after an earlier delay last month. But a Monroe County Circuit Court judge scheduled another final meeting -- for the second time -- to Nov. 11 because of a pre-trial, pre-sentence investigation.

Axe body spray 'pimping' fraternity bathroom showers

By Michelle Manchir · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:22 a.m.

Not only are "dirty boys getting clean" by Axe hygiene products, but so are their bathrooms. In an effort to promote their new shower gel, the makers of Axe products are holding a nationwide "Pimp My Fraternity Shower" in which members of fraternities are asked to take a picture of their soiled, mildew-ridden bathrooms. The public will vote on the most appalling lavatory online and the winner receives a $15,000 bathroom makeover, according to the contest Web site, www.pimpmyfraternityshower.com.

University heads roll nationwide after mismanagement of schools' funds

By Mike Wilson · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:19 a.m.

American University President Benjamin Ladner was fired Monday night for allegedly misusing travel funds and spending school capital on private parties. And Adams State College President Richard A. Wueste was fired for alleged financial mismanagement Friday, according to Chronicle of Higher Education reports.

When is national news local?

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:18 a.m.

We treat the front page of the Indiana Daily Student as a coveted spot for which editors and writers must compete. The front page stories are the first stories you see, and subsequently we consider them the most immediate and most interesting stories in the newspaper. And without fail, every semester one of the most hotly contested issues among IDS staff members is the appropriateness of putting national and world news on the front page of a college newspaper.

IU gamers find solace in LAN war competition

By Brian Baker · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:15 a.m.

Joystick. Check. Starcraft. Check. Can of Bawls. Bawls? Bawls. Check. Welcome to the world of computer gamers, a much maligned society of technically-inclined individuals who, at IU, come together twice a year to engage in a most unique test of stamina: 24-plus hours of continuous game play at parties called LAN wars. "We would like to dispel the myth that computer gamers are anti-social people," Evan Schwamb said of the large crowds that attend the parties for both competition and camaraderie.

Students congregate for Yom Kippur

By Megan Stuart · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:12 a.m.

Between 500 and 1000 students are anticipated to attend each of the Yom Kippur services provided by the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center tonight and Thursday. At 5 p.m. tonight, Hillel and McNutt Quad will begin the Yom Kippur holiday with a dinner before the fast begins. Students can attend a Conservative Jewish service or a Reform service at St. Paul Catholic Center, 1413 E. 17th St. Services are held at the Catholic center because more people attend the service than would fit in the Hillel Center.

Office finds public often improperly denied access to records, meetings

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:07 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The state's public access counselor found over the past year that government agencies are often improperly denying citizens access to public records or meetings.

Bush, first lady defend Miers' nomination

By Alyson Brodsy and Deb Riechmann · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:06 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush and his wife, Laura, offered a double-barreled defense of Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers on Tuesday while the White House worked to dampen opposition from the right and win confirmation for the president's pick.

Man trying to light gas pump arrested

By Gavin Lesnick · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:06 a.m.

Bloomington Police were dispatched to a gas station Monday night in reference to a man trying to set a gas nozzle on fire with a cigarette. Officer Brian Werner responded and arrested a 19-year-old man, who was then transported to Bloomington Hospital for a mental evaluation.

Liberia votes for 1st post-war leader

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:05 a.m.

MONROVIA, Liberia -- With U.N. tanks and troops standing guard, Liberians waited in long lines Tuesday to vote for the country's first postwar president, who many hope will bring stability to one of Africa's most turbulent countries. Turnout appeared to be strong, with some voters lining up hours before the polls opened in churches, schools and long-shuttered banks. Many sat on benches or huddled under umbrellas to shelter them from the broiling tropical sun.

Movie depicts homosexuality, God

By Ben Woodson · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:05 a.m.

The struggle of being homosexual, Christian and undergoing "ex-gay" programs was highlighted in a film shown Monday in the Monroe County Public Library called "Fish Can't Fly: Conversations about God and Struggling to be Gay."

Iraqis reach possible unity on constitution

By Lee Keath · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:04 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi negotiators reached a breakthrough deal on the constitution Tuesday, and at least one Sunni Arab party said it would now urge its followers to approve the charter in this weekend's referendum. Suicide bombings and other attacks killed more than 50 people in the insurgent campaign aimed at intimidating voters.

DeLay attorneys subpoena Earle

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 1:02 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for indicted Rep. Tom DeLay on Tuesday subpoenaed the prosecuting Texas district attorney in an effort to show he acted improperly with grand jurors. The subpoena for Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, filed in Austin, asked that the prosecutor and two of his assistants appear in court to explain their conduct.

Travel-weary Angels outlast White Sox

By Alyson Brodsy and Mike Fitzpatrick · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 12:59 a.m.

CHICAGO -- The Los Angeles Angels will have plenty of time to rest. Right now, they're too busy winning. Paul Byrd pitched effectively in a pinch, Garret Anderson homered and the travel-weary Angels edged the Chicago White Sox 3-2 Tuesday night in the opener of the AL championship series.

Rain halts some aid flights to quake victims

By Alyson Brodsy and Sadaqat Jan · Wednesday, Oct. 12,2005 12:59 a.m.

MUZAFFARAB, Pakistan -- Heavy rain and hail forced the cancellation of some relief flights to earthquake-stricken regions Tuesday and survivors scuffled over the badly needed food. Officials estimated that the death toll would surpass 35,000. Emergency workers in the northern town of Balakot pulled a teenage boy from the rubble, 78 hours after Saturday's quake.